While admissions officers are well versed in SAT-score and GPA requirements for their institutions, it is now crucial that they know how to answer questions about eligibility for financial aid and merit scholarships. A new "Chronicle" survey of admissions officers found that monetary issues weigh heavily on their minds. When asked about the "most…

The writer discusses the challenges faced by financial aid directors. Determining how much families can pay for college has become more complex as the very definition of family has evolved. A growing number of students are coming from nontraditional families, and many college officials are scrambling to accurately evaluate their financial…

An expanding investigation into conflicts of interest in the student-loan industry continued to sweep up more lenders and college financial-aid administrators last week. The nation's largest student-loan provider, Sallie Mae, accepted a $2-million settlement with New York State's attorney general, Andrew M. Cuomo, and three more college officials…

The ever-expanding investigation into conflicts of interest between colleges and lenders continued to claim victims last week as two more universities settled with New York State's attorney general, and another fired its financial-aid director. Drexel University, the only institution that had said it would fight allegations over its student-loan…

Colleges would be required to give students information to help them shop around among loan providers under proposed changes in student-loan programs announced by the U.S. Department of Education. The proposed regulations represent the department's most significant response to date to the continuing controversy over conflicts of interest in the…

In December 2005, purchasing agents at Florida International University issued a request for proposals seeking banks and student-loan companies for a list of "preferred lenders" that the university planned to give to prospective borrowers. The request alone was not unusual. Many colleges use competitive bidding to secure attractive terms…

The revised immigration system, the requirement that administrators verify the accuracy of information on student aid applications before they distribute money, and demands on administrators to spend more time helping students to budget their money were discussed at the annual meeting of the National Association of Student Financial Aid…

Data on salaries of 98 administrative positions in colleges and universities are presented for all institutions and separately for public and private institutions, for universities, four-year colleges, and two-year colleges. The percentage of change in salary level within the past year is noted. (MSE)

National survey data on the current median salaries of executive, academic, administrative, external affairs, and student services officers in private, public, and two-year institutions are presented, with one-year changes noted. Median salaries of chief academic and executive officers are listed by institution type and enrollment. (MSE)